Supplements: Sulfur

Sulfur is a mineral
naturally occurring near hot springs and volcanic craters. The
"rotten egg" smell of sulfur mineral baths is caused
by sulfur dioxide gas escaping into the air. Sulfur has been
used medicinally since ancient times, and it is contained in
every cell in your body. It is a component of three different
amino acids (the building blocks that make up protein). Approximately
0.25 percent of your total body weight is sulfur. It is most
concentrated in keratin, which gives you strong hair, nails,
and skin. It is known as "nature's beauty mineral"
because your body needs it to manufacture collagen, which keeps
your skin elastic and young-looking.

Sulfur is used
primarily to ease the red, itchy rashes of conditions such as
eczema and diaper rash. It also helps to protect your body against
toxins in the environment. In addition, people with arthritis
may find pain relief from taking a soothing bath in hot sulfur
springs.

Uses

Used primarily
to treat the red, itchy discomfort of eczema, diaper rash, dry
scalp, hemorrhoids, and similar conditions

Sulfur baths
can help relieve arthritis pain. In recent years, the benefits
of garlic have been widely studied.

Research suggests
that the beneficial effects of garlic in lowering cholesterol
levels and blood pressure are likely due to the sulfur it contains.

Necessary for
the body to make collagenthe substance in your skin that
keeps it elastic, young-looking, and wrinkle-free.

Aids in certain
digestive disorders, especially acid reflux, indigestion made
worse by milk, chronic diarrhea, and vomiting in the morning.

Can help gynecological
problems such as premenstrual syndrome and menopausal discomforts.

Dietary Sources

The elemental
mineral form of sulfur is found in rocks near hot springs and
volcanos. The form your body uses is found in protein-rich foods
such as meat, organ meats, poultry, fish, eggs, cooked dried
beans and peas, and milk and milk products. Other good sources
include garlic, onions, brussels sprouts, asparagus, kale, and
wheat germ.

Other Forms

To ease skin
rashes, there are ointments, creams, lotions, or dusting powders
containing sulfur as the active ingredient. If you suffer from
arthritis, soaking in a natural sulfur bath (the kind usually
found at hot springs) can greatly ease the pain in your joints.
Talk to your health care provider to see if you might benefit
from this type of therapy. Organic sulfur (the kind our body
uses) is available in the form of MSM (metylsulfonylmethane).

Sulfur is also
available as a dietary supplement in tablets and capsules. However,
you most likely do not need to take extra sulfur. If you are
eating a well-balanced diet that includes the recommended daily
allowance of protein, you should get all the sulfur you need
to maintain your body's daily functions. Any extra sulfur will
be excreted in your urine. Follow the advice of your health care
provider in taking sulfur as a supplement.

How to Take
It

If you have arthritis,
an oral dose of 500 mg to 1,000 mg per day may decrease symptoms.
Consult your health care provider before taking sulfur supplements.

Precautions

Sulfur, by itself,
is not toxic to our bodies. However, some people are highly allergic
to relatives of sulfur such as sulfites and sulfa drugs. Sulfites
are used as a food preservative and can trigger asthma and other
allergic reactions in people who are sensitive. Sulfa drugs can
cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), skin rashes, high fever,
headache, fatigue, and gastric problems. Tell your health care
provider if you think you may be allergic to sulfur-containing
substances.

Possible Interactions

Too much selenium
can compete with sulfur in your body because it substitutes for
sulfur in some chemical reactions. Talk with your health care
provider about maintaining a healthy balance of sulfur and selenium
in your diet, and be sure to consult with him or her before taking
either selenium or sulfur supplements.

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